New York DA Drops “Self-Abortion” Charges

The New York District Attorney is dropping charges against a woman accused of “self abortion” after a 24 week fetus was found in a dumpster. But that doesn’t mean they won’t continue pursuing the case.

The Manhattan district attorney’s office said it was declining to prosecute Yaribely Almonte but continuing to investigate. Prosecutors wouldn’t elaborate.

Almonte, 20, was arrested in November on the misdemeanor charge, which concerns a woman forcibly causing a miscarriage when more than six months pregnant. Abortion is illegal after that point in New York, unless the procedure is necessary to save the woman’s life.

The charge is seldom brought and even more rarely results in conviction, state statistics show.

The decision to keep the case open despite lack of evidence makes it clear that the incident is being used primarily to serve as a warning to other women who may attempt to induce their own abortions, as well as keep women who experience late term miscarriage and cannot afford health care in fear.